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'Need for Speed' Movie Gets Lead Actor, Director

Lose the cops - your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, hide out or play to your car's strengths by driving off-road, hitting straights or diving into back alleys. Drive anywhere, explore the world, hang out with your friends or toy with the cops. It's about you, your friends and the wildest selection of cars in a heavily policed, urban landscape.

The Need for Speed film adaptation will be a fast-paced, high-octane film rooted in the tradition of the great car culture films of the 70s while being extremely faithful to the spirit of the video game franchise.

In “Need for Speed,” the cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story keeps players at the edge of their seat.

Aaron Paul has been cast to play the lead in DreamWorks Studios action film “Need for Speed,” it was announced today by DreamWorks’ President of Production, Holly Bario. Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”) is attached to direct, and the project has a target production start date for early next year and a theatrical release on February 7, 2014.

"We are huge fans of Aaron's and his stellar work on 'Breaking Bad.' We couldn't be more excited to have him headline our cast for 'Need for Speed,’” said Holly Bario, President of Production, DreamWorks Studios.

"Need for Speed is one of the most action-packed entertainment experiences you can find," said Patrick Soderlund, Executive Vice President, Electronic Arts. "The newest game, ‘Need for Speed Most Wanted’ and the upcoming film take the action to all new heights. Like the game series itself, the cast for the movie needs to be edgy and cool. Aaron Paul is a rising star -- a great choice for the film lead. We're looking forward to announcing the rest of the actors that will bring this racing franchise to the big screen."

Aaron Paul is a two-time Emmy winner for his breakthrough performance on the television series “Breaking Bad.” Paul’s other credits include “Smashed,” “The Last House on the Left,” “Mission: Impossible III,” and HBO’s “Big Love.”

DreamWorks acquired the feature film rights to EA’s popular video game franchise earlier this year. George Gatins and John Gatins developed the original story with George writing the feature’s screenplay. The screenplay is based on the “Need for Speed” series, but is not based on an individual game. John Gatins, Mark Sourian and EA’s Patrick O’Brien will produce.